Cañon City Public Library
🏢 City of Cañon City · Cañon City, Colorado
Cañon City Public Library
Nestled in Fremont County at the gateway to the Royal Gorge, the Cañon City Public Library is a lovingly restored Carnegie landmark that has anchored downtown since 1902 — offering free notary service, a Museum of Colorado Prisons pass, and a Teen MakerSpace alongside its historic reading rooms.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9:30am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 9:30am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30am–5pm |
| Thursday | 9:30am–5pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 516 MACON AVENUE, CANON CITY, CO 81212
Phone: +1719-269-9020
Website: canoncity.org
Plus Code: 85CPCQR5+JP (CANON CITY, CO)
📱 Scan for directions
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Cañon City Public Library
The Cañon City Public Library was established in 1902 through the efforts of the local Ladies Library Association, which rallied the community to accept an Andrew Carnegie grant for construction of a permanent public library building. The original Carnegie structure still stands at 516 Macon Avenue and remains on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. In 1982, growing community demand prompted the City of Cañon City to add a 13,000-square-foot, three-story expansion that tripled the library's footprint while preserving the historic facade. Today the library serves Fremont County residents with a full Youth Floor, a Teen Room and MakerSpace, a public computer lab, and a small business center. A unique perk for local history enthusiasts: the library holds a free pass to the nearby Museum of Colorado Prisons, which chronicles 140 years of correctional history at one of Colorado's most distinctive heritage sites.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Carnegie building from 1902 — one of Colorado's historic public Carnegie libraries, still in active use today
- 1982 three-story expansion added 13,000 sq ft, tripling capacity while preserving the original historic structure
- Free Museum of Colorado Prisons pass available exclusively through the library — unique gateway to Royal Gorge region history
- Free notary service available from opening through 4:30 pm daily, no appointment needed
- Teen Room and MakerSpace with creative technology resources for young adults
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your Cañon City library card connects you to Colorado's statewide digital library and local research resources:
📚 Services
- Free library card for Fremont County residents
- Free notary service (open to 4:30 pm daily)
- Museum of Colorado Prisons free pass
- Teen Room and MakerSpace
- Youth Floor with children's collections
- Public computer lab with internet access
- Small business center resources
- Copy ($0.25/page) and free scan-to-email
- Curbside delivery available
- Meeting room for community use
🎸 Programs
- Story times and early literacy programs for children
- Youth STEM and creative activities
- Teen MakerSpace workshops
- Adult programs and author events
- Colorado Humanities programming partnerships
- Genealogy and local history research assistance
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Book clubs and discussion groups
📍 Nearby Libraries in South-Central Colorado
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in CANON CITY · Browse all Colorado libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cañon City Public Library offer free notary service?
Yes. Free notary service is available at the Cañon City Public Library from opening time through 4:30 pm, Monday through Saturday. Donations are appreciated but not required. No appointment is needed — stop in during regular hours.
How can I get the free Museum of Colorado Prisons pass?
The library holds a free pass to the Museum of Colorado Prisons at 201 N 1st Street in Cañon City. Ask at the circulation desk to check it out. The museum chronicles over 140 years of Colorado correctional history in an authentic 1935 Women's Correctional Facility building.
Is the Cañon City Public Library building a historic Carnegie library?
Yes. The original Carnegie-funded building at 516 Macon Avenue dates to 1902 and is listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. A 13,000-square-foot addition was completed in 1982, but the historic Carnegie structure was preserved and remains part of the library today.
What is in the Teen Room and MakerSpace at Cañon City Public Library?
The Teen Room and MakerSpace provides creative technology resources for young adults, offering a dedicated space for projects, digital creation, and collaboration. Contact the library at 719-269-9020 for current equipment availability and any age or scheduling requirements.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
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